The Hibernation Factor

As we come to the end of winter, exciting changes are taking place outside. The light is returning to us. Just this morning I was fortunate enough to see a flock of migrating Canada geese. At this point I'm sure I'm not the only one who is ready to see warmer temperatures return and to be able to be outside for longer periods of time. (I'm particularly ready to be done with socks. It was warm enough in the house recently to walk without them and it was delightful.)

While all these changes happen slowly outside, inside we're feeling the effects of a long, cold winter. Even though we know spring is just around the corner, it's still dark early and it's cold. Maybe some have eaten a rich diet, trying to feel warm and secure in all the cold darkness. Maybe we're less inclined to want to get up and move. What some may call Seasonal Affective Disorder, I'm calling the hibernation factor. It makes sense that we're slower and maybe more apt to be sad after so many months of this kind of weather. You could look up the science of what occurs physiologically when our part of the earth is tilted away from the sun, what the lack of vitamin D does, how the irregular exposure to sunlight effects our melatonin levels. What we don't need is another "disorder" diagnosis. What we need is practice working with (as opposed to on) what we're feeling in preparation for the opportunity to bloom in spring.

I have been focusing recently on pratyahara. Pratyahara is the practice of reducing the influence of the senses in order to better know yourself. We will continue to work with this process over the next few weeks with the intention of preparing ourselves for the coming light. Now is the time to prepare your ground so you can flourish in the spring.

We will continue to utilize pranayama to create stillness and quiet internally. As a result, we will reduce the chatter that usually fills our heads and know ourselves better. Then we can take action from that place of knowledge, rather than habits or experiences.